Last night the Michigan chapter of the Republican Liberty Caucus hosted a Republican Secretary of State Debate at the Oakland County Commissioners Auditorium in Pontiac.

The candidates included were:
* State Senator Cameron Brown
* Oakland County Clerk & Register of Deeds Ruth Johnson
* State Senator Michelle McManus
* Calhoun County Clerk & Register of Deeds Anne Norlander
* State Representative Paul Scott

View the debate at http://blip.tv/file/4020645.

Thus far the Republican Liberty Caucus has not endorsed any candidate in the race.

Congratulations to the Michigan RLC affiliate for introducing these candidates to voters in a format that allowed them to hear their answers to the tough problems facing the state.

On Thursday the Republican Liberty Caucus released the following press release on Afghanistan and Michael Steele’s recent comments.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 8, 2010
CONTACT: Dave Nalle at 512-656-8011 or chairman@rlc.org

It’s time for Republicans to open a debate on the war in Afghanistan

When Chairman Steele brought up the war in Afghanistan he was talking about campaign strategies for Republican candidates, and broaching the possibility that some of them might not support a continued American presence in Afghanistan. Some Republicans have been shocked by this, but the Republican Liberty Caucus can assure the doubters that we have thousands of members and hundreds of candidates who share his doubts about the wisdom of expensive long-term military occupations and nation building programs. In particular, many question the practicality of dragging out the war in Afghanistan with no clear objective and little chance of any positive outcome at an unjustifiable cost to taxpayers.

“We haven’t always been impressed with Chairman Steele’s leadership in other areas, but in this instance it is refreshing that the leader of our party has shown he can sometimes think outside the box defined by those who irrationally reject any contrary views on foreign policy”, observed RLC board member Dan Sheill. “We wish he had stuck by his statement and not backed down so quickly.”

Chairman Steele was right to call this Obama’s war, because by choosing to continue it against all good sense the President has taken on responsibility for the costs and the consequences of the war. This creates an opportunity for Republican candidates to stand up for fiscal responsibility, smarter foreign policy and more efficient use of the military by running against Obama and his war. Ronald Reagan won the Cold War because he understood that the best use of our military is to use it as a deterrent and to let our enemies wear themselves out with military adventurism and risky long term deployments. We are now making the same mistake that the Soviet Union made. Do we want to suffer the same fate?

“We are not the world’s policeman, we are not the world’s babysitter and we’re not the world’s social worker,” said RLC Chairman Dave Nalle. “America is a great and charitable country, but we should remember how the Soviet Union was brought down by overreaching ambition, and realize that we can no longer afford to bear the world’s burdens alone. Michael Steele has opened up the debate on Afghanistan. It’s time for sensible Republicans to take the lead on this issue and express their dissatisfaction with this unjustifiably expensive war which no longer serves its intended purpose.”

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The Republican Liberty Caucus is a nationwide grassroots organization which promotes individual liberty and limited government within the Republican Party. You can find more information about the Republican Liberty Caucus at www.rlc.org.

Michael Steele (pictured with Florida RLC Vice Chairman Steve Smith) is in trouble.

This time he criticized a never-ending undeclared war, saying (correctly) that it is not a war the American people are interested in supporting. He further stated that the war doesn’t make much sense.

Chairman of the Republican National Committee Michael Steele is correct on these points. Predictably, neo-conservative pundit William Kristol and Congressman Tom Cole (primary opponent of RLC-endorsed candidate RJ Harris) have called for Chairman Steele to resign.

Congressman Ron Paul, Adviser to the Republican Liberty Caucus, put out a statement in support of Steele’s comments.

Here is Congressman Paul’s speech on the House floor from last week in opposition to the continued U.S. presence in Afghanistan:

The question remains: When will this unsustainable, undeclared war end?

In the interim, congratulations to Chairman Michael Steele for questioning the Bush/Obama policy of endless foreign interventionism.

The Republican Liberty Caucus, a grassroots network of concerned citizens dedicated to upholding individual liberty, limited government, and free enterprise within the Republican Party, is pleased to announce its support of the following Colorado candidates:

* Mike Fallon, U.S. Congress in District 1
* Stephen Bailey, U.S. Congress in District 2;
* Tim Leonard, State Senate in District 16
* Ted Harvey, State Senate in District 30 (Incumbent);
* Robert Houdeshell, State House in District 13
* Donald Beezley, State House in District 33
* Luke Korkowski, State House in District 61
* Carl Bruning, Larimer County Sheriff

Each of our endorsed candidates share common goals of dramatically reducing spending, cutting taxes, and an overall sense that government needs to return to its proper role and and exercise only those powers enumerated in the Constitution.

In addition to these endorsements, the Republican Liberty Caucus is pleased to endorse the following Colorado ballot initiatives in 2010:

* Yes on Amendment 60, to limit property taxes;
* Yes on Amendment 61, to limit Colorado debt; and
* Yes on Proposition 101, to limit vehicle registration fees.

The Republican Liberty Caucus mission is to recruit and endorse candidates who support its agenda, elect limited-government Republicans to political office, and change the direction of the Republican Party to reflect members’ vision of peace and prosperity.

If we are able to elect these liberty-minded candidates while passing these ballot initiatives, Colorado will be many steps ahead of where it is now. There’s lots of work to do still, so please get involved today!

Learn more about the Caucus at http://www.RLC.org.

For Immediate Release: June 24, 2010

Republican Liberty Caucus of Texas Calls on Party Leaders to Address Problems with Anti-Gay Platform Planks

CONTACT: Republican Liberty Caucus of Texas
(512) 656-8011

AUSTIN, TX – At the state Republican convention earlier this month, Texas Republicans opted to abandon the Republican tradition of respecting the Constitution and protecting individual liberty and privacy rights by adopting a platform which includes planks attacking the civil liberties of certain Texans.

The platform advocates policies which would make it a felony to perform a same-sex marriage in Texas, which would re-criminalize sodomy and which would take away the rights of gay parents in custody cases. These proposals are contrary to the values of most Texans and run counter to the Republican tradition of vigorously defending individual liberty.

The Republican Liberty Caucus strongly opposes the Texas GOP platform’s anti-gay and anti-liberty planks. We call for the state party to take action to address this problem. While it may not be possible to repeal or change the party platform, the state leadership should issue a clear statement that the platform is non-binding and does not represent the core, shared beliefs of Texas Republicans or of our candidates.

In a year in which we are looking forward to extraordinary opportunities for a great slate of Republican candidates in Texas, it would be a terrible mistake to shackle them to a platform which will alienate many potential supporters. This platform will weaken the party at a time when a strong coalition of Republicans and independents is needed to stop the radical agenda of Democrats in both Austin and Washington.

“We need to focus on keeping the government out of our pocketbooks; especially in Texas,” said Texas RLC Chairman, Joey Dauben of Ellis County. “There are far more pressing problems for the GOP in our state to worry about. While I personally disagree with same-sex marriage from a Biblical perspective, marriage is a contract between individuals and God, not with the government. If we want government out of our wallets and our boardrooms, we should also keep government out of our churches and our bedrooms.”

The Republican Liberty Caucus believes that cutting government spending is more important than wasting our limited resources on policies that open Texas to lawsuits and treat some citizens in a different manner than other citizens. Texas RLC members believe divisive social issues should be put on the back burner and instead the focus should be on solving real problems.

We call on the state party to send a clear message to voters that the this platform does not represent the highest ideals of our party and that as a party we support individual liberty and equal rights for all Texans.

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The Republican Liberty Caucus of Texas advocates constitutionally limited government, individual liberty and traditional Republican values. It is part of a nationwide organization which shares those goals and has local organizations in almost every state. This year the RLC has endorsed hundreds of candidates nationwide, including Rand Paul (KY), John Dennis (CA), Peter Schiff (CT), Mike Lee (UT), and Nikki Haley (SC).

For more information on the Texas chapter of the Republican Liberty Caucus, visit http://www.rlctx.org. For information on the national RLC, visit http://www.rlc.org.

It took a bit of time, but Justin Amash’s campaign for Congress in District 3 (Grand Rapids area) is picking up steam. Yesterday he added an endorsement from Congressman Ron Paul and today he gained the endorsement of the Republican Liberty Caucus (receiving support from both the Michigan RLC and the RLC National Board).

Justin Amash has been a formal member of the Republican Liberty caucus since 2007. He is running for an open seat in Congress, as Congressman Vern Ehlers decided to retire.  It’s possible that his challenge to the moderate Ehlers from the right resulted in the longtime Congressman calling it quits.

Now Congressman Ehlers has endorsed one of Amash’s four opponents, but he has no fear.  “I wouldn’t expect Ehlers to endorse a candidacy like mine — which is committed to less spending, limited government  and free markets,” he said in response.

In the August primary, Justin Amash will face four others, including a former State Senator and a former County Commissioner.

Amash is a first-term State Representative who has championed efficient, common sense, limited government. He’s a husband, father and attorney.

Representative Amash publishes his votes on his Facebook page so residents can get the inside scoop of the inner workings of the legislature in Lansing. He’ll do the same as a Representative in Congress

According to Congressman Ron Paul, “Justin Amash in one of the most principled young leaders I have seen in a generation. Justin will do the work to fight for lower taxes and spending and for more freedom in Washington. We need people like Justin voting with me in Congress.”

National Vice Chair of the Republican Liberty Caucus Aaron Biterman is excited about Amash’s campaign, saying “Americans who are concerned about an ever-expanding government and the growing debt need to cast their votes for Justin Amash or donate directly to his campaign as I have.”

PO Box 130
West Shokan, NY 12494

June 12, 2010

Lazio 2010, Inc.
P.O. Box 4818
New York, NY 10185

Dear Mr. Lazio:

I am writing as a registered Republican and a member of my Town’s Republican Committee.

Your opponent, Carl Paladino, has publicly stated that during your tenure as a full-time employee and lobbyist for JP Morgan Chase you lobbied for and arranged a payment of $25 billion from the US Treasury to your employer. In other words, Mr. Paldino has publicly alleged that you participated in the “bailout.”  In return you received a $1.3 million bonus.

If Mr. Paldino’s allegations are inaccurate, please respond to this inquiry publicly.

If Mr. Paladino’s allegations are accurate you are morally unfit to serve in public office.  I am posting this letter on my blog and stating explicitly that if Mr. Paladino’s allegations are accurate you are morally equivalent to a common criminal and belong in jail.  Consequently, I would urge you to step down from the gubernatorial candidacy and allow the better man to run.

Sincerely,

Mitchell Langbert, Ph.D.

It’s just a few days until the Republican Liberty Caucus statewide meeting in Dallas.  The Texas chapter of the Republican Liberty Caucus has to rebuild and we need your help now more than ever before.

On Friday (yes, tomorrow) night at 8:30 pm, the Texas RLC will have a meet and greet gathering at XYZ bar at the Aloft hotel in Dallas. Please join RLC’ers to mix, mingle, and engage.

On Saturday, the Republican Liberty Caucus of Texas will hold its annual business/reorganizational meeting 4pm at the Tactics Room at the Aloft hotel.  If the Convention floor fight extends until after 4pm, that is when you should arrive at the Tactics Room.  We have the room booked for the evening.

Please RSVP to attend these events on Facebook.

Judicial candidate (and former Judge) Melissa Goodwin and past gubernatorial candidate Debra Medina (pictured) will be addressing the Texas RLC. At the business meeting we will be electing a new board and officers for the Texas RLC and approving by-laws and rules. All are welcome to participate in these activities but voting will be limited to dues-paid RLC members, though you will be able to join the RLC on site.

If you can’t be there, you can follow the events at the convention through facebook (check out the group Texas Liberty Delegates) or on Twitter by subscribing to the feed for Texliberty.

We hope you’ll join us for the meeting and be part of restoring the RLC as a potent force in Texas politics and in promoting the  principles of limited government, free enterprise and individual liberty in the Texas Republican Party.  For more information, see our updated website at http://www.rlctx.org.

A special thanks to Dave Nalle and the Texas RLC Organizing Committee for making these events possible to members, future members, and other interested parties. See you on Friday and Saturday!

Former Florida Republican Party Chair Jim Greer was arrested today on charges of grand theft and money laundering.

Governor Charlie Crist, then a Republican, appointed Greer as head of the state’s Republican Party upon election as governor in 2006. Greer was committed to alienating libertarians and conservatives from the party to favor the moderate (read: Democrat) wing of the party.

Greer resigned his position in February after receiving intense criticism of his tactics and spending, including reports of excessive funds spent on private jets, luxurious meals and entertainment.

Statewide Prosecutor William Shepherd said Greer developed a scheme to take money from the Republican Party through a shell company he created, Victory Strategies. He used the money for his personal expenses — at least $100,000.

Activists most concerned with issues of transparency and party spending — including Republican Liberty Caucus members Will Pitts, John Stevens, Elizabeth Campbell, and Doug Guetzloe — were promptly suspended from the Republican Party by Jim Greer’s puppets.

The next step for the Republican Party and its new Florida Chairman are to repeal the bogus suspensions of these Republican Liberty Caucus activists.

I have been objecting loudly to the GOP nominating processes in various states for many years now.

In short: the Republican Party Establishment has swooped into competitive Republican Party primaries (election contests that VOTERS should decide) to coronate certain candidates and exclude candidates they do not prefer.

This practice began during the Bush Administration, as far as I can tell. It’s a disgusting process and is truly politics as its worst.

Here is an article in which I criticize the Wisconsin Republican Party for nominating two candidates — one for Governor and another for U.S. Senate — at its Convention on Saturday despite the fact that one other candidate is running in each of these races. Enjoy!